Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, today released the following statement

regarding an altercation during Monday night’s pre-season game between the New York

Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers:

“All Players, Coaches and Officials in the National Hockey League deserve the respect

of their peers, and have the absolute right to function in a work environment that is free from

racially or sexually-based innuendo or derision. This is the National Hockey League’s policy and

it will remain so going forward.

“It also is important to emphasize that the National Hockey League holds, and will continue

to hold, our Players to higher standards with respect to their conduct both on and off the ice.

While we recognize that the emotion involved in certain on-ice confrontations may lead to the use of highly charged and sometimes offensive language and commentary, certain lines cannot be crossed. Specifically, we have for many years emphasized to our Clubs and Players that

commentary directed at the race or ethnicity of other participants in the game (or even nonparticipants), or that is otherwise socially or morally inappropriate or potentially hurtful – including as it may relate to sexual orientation — is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“With that as background, we have looked into the allegations relating to the possible

use of a homophobic slur by a Flyers player in the Rangers/Flyers preseason game last night in

Philadelphia. Since there are conflicting accounts of what transpired on the ice, we have been

unable to substantiate with the necessary degree of certainty what was said and by whom.

Specifically, Flyers Player Wayne Simmonds has expressly denied using the homophobic slur

he is alleged to have said. Additionally, none of the on-ice officials close to the altercation in

question heard any inappropriate slurs uttered by either of the primary antagonists. In light of

this, we are unable at this time to take any disciplinary action with respect to last night’s events.

To the extent we become aware of additional information conclusively establishing that an

inappropriate slur was invoked, we are reserving the option to revisit the matter.”